VAT In Maharashtra

The ordinance was necessitated as the state has agreed to shift to value added tax (Vat) regime from the current sales tax from April 1 as per the decision taken by the empowered committee of the finance ministers of the states.

The ordinance copy was laid down on the table of the state assembly on Wednesday by the minister of state for finance Sunil Deshmukh.

According to the ordinance the Maharashtra Value Added Tax Bill, 2002 had received the assent of the President of India and subsequently it was published as Act in the state gazzette on March 9 this year.

This Act could have been come into force with effect from the April 1, 2003 after its publication in the state gazzette.

However, the ordinance reiterated that it was not possible as the empowered committee of the finance ministers of the states had taken a decision to launch Vat nationwide from April 1.

''In view of this, it is necessary to amend the commencement clause contained in sub section (3) of section 1 of the Maharashtra Valued Added Tax Act, 2002 (Mah. IX of 2005) simultaneously with the publication of the same, so that the said Act can be brought into force on the April 1, 2005,'' the ordinance said